Molding machine



5. J. GEDRIS HOLDING MACHINE Feb. 20, 1951 Filed Marcfi s, 1947 4Sheets-Sheet 1 V v mo I STANLEY .dAmas gums S. J. GEDRIS HOLDING MACHINEFeb. '20, 1951 Filed larch s, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 \NVENTO 6mm. dmzsGen 5 A'rro RNE. s

nv TO ms 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Q Q 1 51mg; dmzs Gem Arroanzvs s. J. GEDRISuowm; ucnms Feb. 20, 1951 Filed March 3, 1947 Patented Feb. 20, 1951UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MOLDING MACHINE Stanley James Gedris, GrandRapids, Mich.

Application March 3, 1947, Serial No. 732,047

Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in molding machines for makingfoundry sand molds.

The primary purpose of the present invention is to provide a machinewhich will automatically make foundry casting molds quickly andconveniently. Another object is to provide a machine for making sandmolds which has simplicity of construction and which will speedily makesand molds.

A still further purpose of the invention is to provide a machine inwhich the flask is moved into position on and clamped to the patternplate. Thereafter a measured amount of sand is first dropped and thensqueezed into the flask to form the desired mold cavities, sprue andgates.

Other objects of this invention are: to provide a plate with an openingtherethrough against which the flask is located, the thickness of theplate gauging the depth of the uncompressed molding sand; to providemeans for connecting the strike-off and squeezing head for theirsimultaneous movement; to provide for guided vertical movement of thepattern plate; to provide for guided vertical movement of the squeezinghead; to provide for a toggle link operation of the squeezing head forquick and powerful movement thereof.

Other purposes and objects of the present invention will become apparentduring the following description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which,

Fig. l is an elevational view of a molding machine of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through the machine asshown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view through the moldingmachine taken along lines 33 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view through the molding machine takenalong line 44 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view through the strike-offand squeezing mechanism taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view showing the patternand pattern plate in plan view, the section being taken along line 6--Bin Fig. 2.

Fig. '7 is a horizontal sectional plan view through the molding machineshowing the conveying mechanism for moving the flasks into and out ofthe machine.

In all of the foregoing figures the sectional views are looking in thedirection of the arrows indicated.

Like reference characters refer to like parts in the different figuresof the drawings.

Referring to the details of the drawings and particularly to Figs. 1 and2, the molding machine is provided with a framework comprising a lowerrectangular frame I having the vertical frame members 2 secured to thecorners and extending upwardly therefrom, the horizontally locatedrectangular frame 3 secured between the uprights 2. The pair of verticalsupporting members 4 are secured between the base frame I and the upperframe 3. Other frame members 5 are secured to the base frame I andextend upwardly therefrom having the horizontal frame members 6 securedtherebetween at their upper ends. The vertical frame members I aresecured between the horizontal frame members 6 and the horizontal framemember la secured within the frame member 3.

A plurality of vertical supporting members 8 are secured to the baseframe I and at their upper ends support the horizontal plate 9 having arectangular opening [0 (Figure 2) vertically therethrough.

Means are provided for moving the flasks l2 into the machine to themolding position and out of the machine after the sand mold has beencompleted. The flasks being stationary during the operation of themachine, but removable therefrom when a cycle of operation is completed,they are sometimes for brevity hereinafter, and in the claims, referredto as removable stationary flasks and elsewhere merely as flasks. Theyare of conventional construction excepting where otherwise specified orindicated. This flask moving means comprises a pair of horizontallyspaced tracks ll attached to the inner faces of the vertical supportingmembers 8. These tracks H slidably support the flasks thereon while theyare being moved into the machine by a conveying mechanism comprising thespaced horizontal angular members I3. The angular members l3 areslidably movable parallel to the tracks ll. One end of the angularmembers I3 is attached together by means of the cross member H as bestshown in Fig. 7, this cross member [4 being attached to the piston rodI5 of an air cylinder l6 secured to a fixed supporting member IT. Aplurality of laterally opposite dogs I8 are pivotally mounted at l9along the length of the angle members l3 with the torsion springs 20yieldably holding each of the dogs into extended flask engaging positionor in the position as shown in Fig. 7.

A horizontally located rectangular pattern supporting head 24 (Figure 2)has a pattern plate 25 removably locatedthereon with the pattern andgates 28 (Figure 6) formed at the upper side thereof. Means are providedfor moving the head 24 vertically to clamp a flask between the patternplate and the rectangular, stationaryv plate T gle links 21 arepivotally attached at their lower ends at 3| to other toggle links 38which in turn are pivotally mount d at 32 to the upwardly extending ears33 formed as part of the supporting base 34 secured to the floor onwhich the ma- 4 ping a measured amount of sand into the flask byproviding the plurality of rods 52 extending across and rotatablymounted in the chute 48. By rotation of the rods 52 the doors or gates53, secured to the rods 52, are movable to open or closed position, thusclosing off the section oi the chute above the rods 52. These rods 52are rotated to move the gates to open or closed position by means of thelevers 54 attached in parallel relationship-to the outer ends of therods 52. The outer ends of the levers 54 are pivotally attached I at 55to the actuating bar 58. This bar 56, in

chine is supported. The set of links are adapted to move together byproviding a link 35 pivotally attached at its ends at 3| at the junctureof th toggle links 21 and 38.

Means are provided for moving the toggle links 21 and 38 either to astraight line position or to the angular position as shown in brokenlines in Fig. 1. This is accomplished by providing a cross head 35pivotally attachedat 3| between the toggle links 21 and 38. This crosshead is attached to the piston rod 31 of an air cylinder 38 pivotallymounted at 38 to the supporting frame 40 secured between the verticalframemembers 5. On actuation of'the air cylinder 38, the toggle links 21and 38 may be moved to the position shown in broken lines, in whichposition, the'flask may be slidably moved over the pattern and patternplate. On opposite The side frame members 4 are of channel shape and aremachined to form ways to slidably receive the slides 42. Narrow plates4a are at tached to the inner faces of the side frame members 4 to holdthe slides 42 slidably .therewithin.

Means are provided for forming a sprue vertically through the sand moldby attaching the air cylinder 44 to the underside 'of the head 24 withthe piston rod 45 thereof extending upwardly through the head 24 and thepattern plate 25 into the interior of the mold flask. This piston rod 45is formed the desired size and shape of the sprue to be formed withinthe sand mold. Onactuation of the air cylinder 44 in one direction, thesprue former 45 is moved downwardly to withdrawn position below thesurface of the pattern plate 25. On opposite actuation of the a aircylinder 44 the sprue former 45 is moved to upwardly extended positionto form a sprue vertically through the completed sand mold.

With the flask l2 clamped between the underside of the stationary plate8 and the pattern plate 25 a measured amount of sand is dropped into theflask through the opening I!) in the plate 8. This is accomplished byproviding the vertically located rectangular chute 48 which extendsupwardly i'rom a position closely adjacent the plate 9. The upper end ofthe chute 48 is flared outwardly at 43 for the reception of molding sandtherein. Means are provided for dropturn, is pivotally attached at 51 tothe piston rod 58 of an air cylinder 58 pivotally secured at 68 to theupwardly extending frame member SI. On actuation of the air cylinder 59in an outward direction, the gates 53 are moved to open position asshown in Fig. 2 and on opposite actuation of the air cylinder 59,- thatis to withdrawn position, the gates 53 are all moved to a, horizontalposition, closing off the upper portion of the chute 48. Angie members58 supported on frame members 3 hold the chute in position.

The means for measuring the sand within the chute 48 also comprises aplurality of rods 54 each extending through an opening 56 in one side ofthe chute 48 and adapted to move across the width of the chute intoother openings to close off the chute and support any molding sandlocated thereabove. The rods 64 are all secured tothe cross head 61(Figure 2) attached to the outer end of the piston rod 68 of the aircylinder 68. The cylinder I58 is pivotally attached at 10 to theupwardly extending frame members ll. With the gates 53 in closedposition, the rods 84 may be moved to withdrawn position on one actionof the air cylinder 68 whereupon any sand above rods 54 will dropdownwardly onto the closed gates 53. Upon opposite action of the aircylinder 59, the rods 54 are moved across the width of the chute 48 andinto the openings 55. The gates 53 are thereafter opened by action ofthe air cylinder 59 allowing only the sand below the rods 54 or ameasured amount of sand, to drop downwardly through the chute 48 intothe mold flask I2 and opening I8 in the fixed plate 9. Thus, when theamount of sand needed to make a completed mold has been determinedthismeasured amount of sand may be dropped by the described action ofthe gates 53 and of the rods 54.

After sand is dropped from the chute 48 into the flask l2 and opening Mof plate 8, means are provided for striking off the sand to the properdepth to give the resulting mold the proper density after being tampedor squeezed. This is accomplished by providingthe spaced horizontaltracks 14 secured to the inner faces of the frame members 4 and framemembers 5. The strikeofl 15 of rectangular form and having downwardlyand inwardly converging sides, as best shown in Fig. 2, is slidablyreceived on the'tracks l4 and is movable to a'position over the flask gra withdrawn position to one side of the After the sand has beendelivered into the flask and opening l8 and has been struck off by thestrike-oil 15, a squeezing head 18 is moved to a position over the flaskto squeeze the sand therein.

This squeeze head 18 is provided at its underside with the patterns 18and has connected thereto the upwardly extending supporting arms 88 ateach side thereof. The arms 88 are pivotally connected at 8| to theslides 82. These slides 82 are slidably received in the frame members 4,

with the cover plates 4a slidably holding them therein. Means areprovided for moving the squeeze head I8 about the pivot 8| to a positionwithdrawn from or to a position over the flask, by providing thesupporting arms 80 with the spaced arms 83 extending at a right angle tothe supporting arm 80. A rod 84 extends between these spaced arms 83 towhich is pivotally connected the piston rod 85 of an air cylinder. Theair cylinder 86 is pivotally connected at 81 to a supporting frame 88attached to the upright frame members 2.

Means are provided for coordinating the movement of the strike-off I5and squeeze head I8 into and out of their position over the flask suchthat each is positioned over the flask when the other is withdrawn. Thisis accomplished by providing a pair of spaced upwardly extending cars 89attached to the squeeze head I8 with the links 90 pivotally attached at9I to the ears 89 and pivotally attached at 92 to the strikeoff I5. Whenthe squeeze head I8 is moved to its withdrawn position th strike-off I5,by means of links 90, is moved to a position over the flask, but whenthe squeeze head is moved to the position over the flask, the strike-offI5 is moved to withdrawn position by the links 90.

After the squeeze head I8 by action of the air cylinder 86, is movedfrom withdrawn position to a position over the flask I2 with theuncompressed sand therein, means are provided for forcibly lowering thesqueeze head I8 to squeeze or compress the sand within the flask. Thismeans comprises a pair of links 95 pivotally attached at their lowerends at 96 to the lower ends of the slides 82 and another pair of togglelinks 9'! pivotally attached at 98t0 the free ends of the toggle links95 and at their upper ends pivotally attached at 99 to the brackets I00.The brackets I are secured to the upper ends of the frame members 4.Means are provided for quickly and powerfully moving the toggle links 95and 9'! from their angular position as shown in Fig. 1, to an in lineposition, as shown in Fig. 2, thus moving the squeeze head I8 intosqueezing position. This means comprises the horizontal connecting barI02 pivotally attached to the junction of the toggle links 95 and 91 atthe pivot point 98 and at its other end pivotally connected at I03 tothe crank I04. The crank I04 is rotatably mounted on the shaft I05 whichin turn is rotatably mounted in the bearing I95a (Figure 4) secured tothe vertical frame members I. A fly wheel I06 is attached to the shaftI05, driven through the pulley I09a and belts I09 by the motor I01 whichis secured to the platform I08. A one revolution clutch IIO is securedto the crank I04 and means are provided for tripping the clutch IIOincluding the trip bar III (Figure 1) slidably received in the guideblock I I2 attached to the piston rod I I3 of an air cylincler H4. Theair cylinder H4 is secured to the frame member I. During operation ofthe machine, the motor I0! is operated continuously, imparting rotarymotion to the fly wheel I08 and the shaft I05. The rest position of thetoggle links 95 and 91 is shown in Fig. 1 and on actuation of the aircylinder II4 retracting the trip bar III, the one-revolution clutchoperates imparting one revolution from the fly wheel I06 to the crankI04, which motion moves the toggle li'nks.95 and 91 from the restposition, or angular position, to the straight line position, as shownin Fig. 2, and back to the angular position, as shown in Fig. 1. Thismovement of the toggle links 95 and 91 moves the squeeze head from itsrest position downwardly to squeeze position and again upwardly to itsrest position.

After the sand has been squeezed into the flask I2, the flask is loweredonto the spaced tracks II and the pattern is stripped from the flask bythe lowering of the pattern plate by action of the air cylinder 38moving the toggle links 21 and to their angular position. Each flask asit is completed and lowered onto the tracks II. is moved horizontallyalong the angular conveyor members I3.

In the operation of the molding machine, flasks are placed one at a timeon the left end of the supporting tracks II, as shown in Fig. 1. Eachflask I2 is moved intermittently along the tracks by the oscillatingmotion of the conveyor members I3, having the conveyor dogs I8 thereon,by the actuation of the air cylinder I6. Each of the flasks I2 is movedto a rosition over the pattern plate while the pattern is held in alowered position. The pattern is held in this lowered position by theangular positions of the toggle links 2'! and 30 movement of which iscontrolled by the air cylinder 33. After a flask is thus moved over thepattern plate and unde the stationary plate 9 in line with the openingI0 therethrough, the air cylinder 38 is oppositely actuated to bringthe. toggle links 27 and 30 to an in line position, raising the patternplate, lifting the flask from the tracks I I, and clamping the flaskbetween the pattern plate and the underside of the stationary plate 9.

With a flask thus clamped in line with the opening I0 through thestat'onary plate 9, and with the strike-off 15 in a position over theopening- I0 and with the squeezing head I8 moved to withdrawn position,a measured amount of sand is dropped downwardly through chute 48 intothe flask I2 and opening I0 onto the pattern plate 25 and pattern 26 tofill the flask I2, opening I0 and extend slightly above the surface ofthe stationary plate 9.

This measured amount of sand is deposited into .I the flask by firstactuating the air cylinder 59 to move the gates 53 to their horizontal,closed positions. The plurality of rods 64 are thereafter withdrawn fromacross the opening of chute 48 by the actuation of air cylinder 09,allowing sand in the chute to drop downwardly against the closed gates53. The rods 64, on opposite actuation of the air cylinder 69, areextended across the width of the chute 48 and into the openings 65. Thegates 53 are thereafter moved to their vertical, open position, onopposite actuation of the air cylinder 59, allowing the measured amountof sand below the rods 64 to drop downwardly into the flask I2 andopening I0. 7

After this measured amount of sand is delivered, the air cylinder 86 isactuated moving the strike-off to a withdrawn position and moving thesqueezing head I8 to a position directly over and in line with theopening I0 in plate 9. During its movement from the position over theflask to withdrawn position, the strike-off I5 removes all the sand inexcess of the amount necessary to squeeze into the flask.

With the squeezing head IS in effective position over the flask, andwith the flywheel I03 in rotation, the one revolution clutch H0 isoperated by the withdrawal of the clutch operating pin III by actuationof the air cylinder II4. Thus, the rotative motion of the flywheel I06is transferred to the crank I04, which operates the toggle links and 91from their angular position to an acsaus i in line position and back toangularposition. During the movement of the toggle links 95 and 91 fromtheir angular position to in line position, the slides 82 andconsequently the squeezing head 18, are forcibly and quickly moveddownwardly.

This downward movement of the squeezing head 18 forces the squeezinghead downwardly into the opening ill to a position in close proximity tothe upper face of the flask l2, thus squeezing the sand into the flaskand forming'the mold cavities in the upper and lower face of the sandtherein. During the movement of the toggle links 95 and 91 from their inline position to their angular position, the squeezing head 18 is movedquickly to its upper, withdrawn position above the surface of thestationary plate 9. On opposite actuation of the air cylinder 86 thesqueezing head 18 is swung forwardly to its withdrawn position, whilethe strike-off is moved from its Withdrawn position to the position overthe opening It! in the stationary plate 9 for the guiding of sand into asubsequently positioned flask.

After the sand=has been squeezed in the flask, the air cylinder 38 isoppositely actuated, moving the toggle links 21 and 30 to their angularpositions, thus lowering the pattern plate, depositing the flask ontothe tracks I I and stripping the pattern plate and pattern from theunderside of the flask and sand mold therein. The pattern plate islowered suiflcientlythat the pattern is below the under surface of theflask resting on the tracks H.

Each flask I2, after the sand mold has been squeezed therein is movedalong the tracks II by actuation of the conveyor 13 operated by aircylinder I6.

Having thus described my invention, what I desire to secure by LettersPatent is set forth in the appended claims:

1. In a machine for filling a flask with sand and compressing the same,the combination comprising: a stationary plate having a central openingtherethrough; a vertically adjustable lower pattern plate; saidstationary plate and said pattern plate adapted for'holding a flasktherebetween; means for vertically reciprocally moving said lowerpattern plate, said pattern plate in one position forcing said flaskupwardly against said stationary plate and in another position beingspaced away from said stationary plate a distance greater than theheight of the pattern on said pattern plate; a squeezing head pivotallymounted for lateral movement and slidably mounted for vertical movement;a strike-off element adapted for lateral movement; a sand hopper spaceda substantial distance above said flask and means associated therewithfor releasing sand therefrom as a substantially compact mass; saidhopper, opening in said stationary plate, and flask being verticallyaligned; means for moving said strike-offv element and said squeezinghead: means for coordinating the movement of said strike-oil element andsqueezing head whereby said strike-oil" element and said squeezing headare alternately vertically aligned with said flask and displaced to oneside thereof; said squeezing head during downward vertical movementcompressing sand in the opening in said stationary plate into saidflask.

2. A mold making machine having a stationary supporting frame andincluding, in vertical alignment, means defining a stationary chamber, avertically adjustable lower pattern plate adapted to support a removableflask between said lower pattern plate and said stationary chamber and asand hopper and associated release gate spaced a substantial distanceabove "said flask, the improvement in said machine comprising: a strikeof! frame and a squeezing head alignable alternately with said flask,said squeezing head being laterally removed from said flask when saidsand release gate is open and when in vertical alignment being adaptedfor squeezing sand in said stationary chamber into said flask; a beamand vertically reciprocating slide for supporting said squeezing head; alink unit pivotally mounted on one of its ends to said squeezing headand on the other of its ends to said strikeofi frame for coordinatingthe movements of said squeezing head and said strike-off frame; a toggleassembly having one of its" ends pivotally mounted to said stationarysupporting frame and the other of its ends pivotally mounted to saidslidefor vertically moving said squeezing head.

3. A mold making machin having a stationary frame and adapted to receivea flask, the improvement in said mold making machine comprising: a pairof flask supporting, spaced rails extending through said stationaryframe; a stationary plate above said rails, said stationary platedefining a central opening therethrough; a vertically reciprocablepattern plate below said rails and vertically aligned with saidstationary plate and adapted to raise a flask from said rails and clampsaid flask against said stationary plate; a laterally, reciprocallymovable strikeoff frame above said stationary plate, verticallyalignable with said pattern plate; a stationary sand hopper verticallyaligned with said pattern plate; a squeezing head mounted'ior vertical,re-

ciprocating movement in vertical alignment'with clamp saidflask againstsaid stationary plate;

.said pattern plate; means pivotally mounting said squeezing head forlateral movement out of vertical alignment with said pattern plate;means for coordinating the lateral movements of said strike-off frameand said squeezing head whereby said strike-off frame and said squeezinhead are alternately vertically alignable with said pattern plate.

4. A mold making machine having a stationary frame and adapted toreceive a flask, the improvement in said mold making machine comprising:a pair of flask supporting, spaced rails extending through saidstationary frame; a stationary plate above said rails, said stationaryplate defining a central opening therethrough; a vertically,reciprocable pattern plate below said rails and vertically aligned withsaid stationary plate; toggle means for moving said pattern platevertically to raise a flask from said rails and a laterally,reciprocally movable strike-01f frame above said stationary plate,vertically alignable with said pattern plate; a stationary sand hoppervertically aligned with said pattern plate; a squeezing head mounted forvertical reciprocating movement in vertical alignment with said patternplate; toggle means for moving said squeezing head vertically;means-pivotally mounting said squeezing head for lateral movement out ofvertical alignment with said pattern plate; a

bar pivotally mounted to .said strike-off frame,

and squeezing head for coordinating the lateral movements of saidstrike-off frame and said squeezing head, whereby said strike-off frameand said squeezing head are alternately, vertically alignable with saidpattern plate.

5. In a machine for fllling a flask with sand and compressing the same,the combination comprising: a stationary plate having a centralopenabsence 9 ing therethrough; a vertically adjustable lower patternplate; said stationary plate and said pattern plate adapted for holdinga flask therebetween; means for vertically, reciprocally moving saidlower pattern plate, said pattern plate in one position forcing saidflask upwardly against said stationary plate and in another positionbeing spaced away from said stationary plate a distance greater than theheight of the pattern on said pattern plate; a squeezing head mountedfor lateral reciprocating movement and for vertical reciprocatingmovement; a strike-o8 element adapted for lateral movement; a sandhopper spaced a substantial distance above said flask and meansassociated therewith for releasing sand therefrom as a substantiallycompact mass; said hopper, opening in said stationary plate, and flaskbeing vertically aligned: means for moving said strike-oi! element andsand squeezing head; means for coordinating the movement of saidstrike-of! element and squeezing head whereby said strike-off elementand said squeezing head are alternately vertically aligned with saidflask and displaced to one side thereof; said squeezing head duringdownward vertical movement compressing sand in the opening in saidstationary plate into said flask.

STANLEY JAMES GEDRIS.

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